Jalen Brunson, point guard for the New York Knicks, won the 2026 ESPY award for Best NBA Player. He helped the Knicks win their first NBA championship since 1973 and was named Finals MVP after a strong performance in the finals.
Key Facts
Jalen Brunson plays for the New York Knicks as a point guard.
Brunson won the 2026 ESPY for Best NBA Player.
He led the Knicks to their first NBA title since 1973.
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game during the championship series.
He scored 45 points in the final game of the series.
The Knicks congratulated Brunson on social media after his award.
Brunson is also nominated for the ESPY Best Male Athlete award.
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The first half of the World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina ended without any goals. The match was intense, with many fouls and heated moments, but neither team managed to take a shot on goal.
Key Facts
The game took place in Atlanta and is a World Cup semifinal.
England and Argentina had several rough challenges early in the match.
No goals or shots on goal occurred in the first half.
Both teams received one yellow card each: Anderson for England and Martinez for Argentina.
England committed 7 fouls, Argentina committed 12 fouls in the first half.
Argentina had more ball possession with 56%, while England had 44%.
The match featured tense player interactions but no serious penalties were given by the referee.
England focused attacks on the left side but could not score or get shots on target.
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Nico Collins, a wide receiver for the Houston Texans, is ranked as the No. 8 receiver in the NFL by league experts. He is praised for his size, speed, strength, catching skills, and ability to make plays even when challenged by defenders.
Key Facts
Collins is seen as one of the most complete wide receivers in the NFL.
He combines size, strength, speed, route running, good hands, and ball skills.
About 25% of his catches are for 20 or more yards.
Last season, he tied for second in the NFL with five catches of 40 or more yards.
He has had three straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, tying a Texans franchise record.
Collins had a low drop rate last season, dropping only 2 passes on 119 throws (1.7% drop rate).
He averages 15 yards per catch over his five-year NFL career.
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A dog owner used a worn T-shirt with her scent to comfort her puppy, Lady, during alone time. However, a dog trainer says comfort items only help if dogs associate them with positive feelings and calm, and owners should also teach dogs to relax and be independent in other ways.
Key Facts
Leaving a shirt with an owner’s scent is a common trick to help dogs with separation anxiety.
Dogs don’t find comfort from the object itself, but from the feelings they connect to it.
If a comfort item is only given when the owner leaves, it might signal stress instead of comfort.
The trainer recommends teaching dogs to relax calmly and build independence before long separations.
Creating a positive, secure space with toys and blankets can help dogs adjust to being alone.
Comfort items work best as part of a bigger plan that helps dogs feel safe and relaxed on their own.
Training calm behavior in a dog should happen regularly, not just when the owner plans to leave.
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A.J. Brown, recently traded to the New England Patriots, dropped from No. 5 to No. 9 in ESPN’s NFL player rankings but remains a top wide receiver. NFL experts still see him as a strong and physical player who changes how defenses play against him.
Key Facts
A.J. Brown moved from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots.
His ranking among NFL wide receivers fell from No. 5 to No. 9 in ESPN’s survey.
NFL coaches and scouts still consider him a top receiver due to his talent.
Brown appears on about half of the NFL ballots, showing continued respect.
He affects defensive strategies before the ball is snapped.
Brown excels in difficult catches, having the most catches and yards on tight-window throws since 2019.
He is known for being physical, explosive, and tough to cover.
The Patriots expect Brown to be a key player who can improve their run game and offense.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, was ranked the No. 3 wide receiver in the NFL for 2026 by league experts. He led the league in receiving yards during the 2025 season and played a major role in his team's offense.
Key Facts
Smith-Njigba was ranked No. 3 wide receiver by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts in 2026.
He led the NFL in 2025 with 1,793 receiving yards.
He accounted for 44% of the Seattle Seahawks’ receiving yards in 2025.
Smith-Njigba played more than 80% of his snaps as an outside receiver.
He averaged 10.9 yards per target, showing strong performance in a demanding role.
Experts compare his skills to top players like Cooper Kupp but say he is especially strong on the outside.
Although he is not seen as the most feared receiver, his production continues to improve and impress.
He is described as a polished and confident player with a complete skill set.
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Patrick Mahomes praised his teammate Travis Kelce for both his physical skills and leadership. Mahomes said Kelce’s selfless attitude motivates the whole team, making him a great player and person. The Kansas City Chiefs struggled last season after Mahomes got injured but hope to bounce back in 2026.
Key Facts
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have been teammates since 2017.
Mahomes described Kelce as having size, speed, and skill to catch the football well.
Mahomes said Kelce is a strong leader and a selfless player who inspires teammates.
Kelce is expected to receive a gold jacket, an honor in the NFL.
The Chiefs had a 6-11 record in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Mahomes injured his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 season.
Mahomes hopes to return for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
The Chiefs will play the Denver Broncos on September 14 in a "Monday Night Football" game.
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Drake London recently signed a $141 million contract extension and is seen as a potential top NFL wide receiver. Experts compare him to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had a standout season and is now ranked among the best players in the league.
Key Facts
Drake London signed a four-year, $141 million contract extension.
ESPN ranks Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the No. 3 wide receiver in the NFL.
Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards (1,793) and had 10 touchdowns in a Super Bowl season.
London had 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 and was on pace to improve before an injury.
London is 6-foot-4, weighs about 215 pounds, and can play multiple receiver positions.
Atlanta Falcons have not decided on a starting quarterback; options are Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa.
Penix is recovering from ACL surgery; Tagovailoa had a tough season with Miami.
Experts believe steady quarterback play could help London reach the elite level like Smith-Njigba.
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Golfer Tyrrell Hatton is competing in the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, aiming for his first major win. He has had mixed results this season in big tournaments and joked he might watch the final on TV instead of playing in the last group.
Key Facts
Tyrrell Hatton is playing in his 13th straight Open Championship.
His best Open finish was tied for 5th place in 2016.
This season, he tied 3rd at The Masters, missed the cut at the PGA Championship, and tied 7th at the U.S. Open.
Last week, Hatton tied for 17th at the Scottish Open.
He will tee off Thursday at 4:58 a.m. ET in a group with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
DeChambeau has not made a major cut yet in the 2026 season.
Hatton joked that he might watch the final round on his sofa rather than being in the last group.
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England is playing against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final match. Fans can rate the performance of both teams' players on a scale from 1 to 10 during and shortly after the game.
Key Facts
The match is a World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.
Fans can rate each player’s performance using a 1 to 10 scale.
The rating tool closes 30 minutes after the match ends.
Players from both teams are listed with their jersey numbers and names.
No players have been substituted at the time of reporting.
The final player ratings will be an average of all fan submissions.
Users must be signed in with a BBC account to rate players.
The article is connected to ongoing World Cup coverage on BBC Sport.
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Florida State’s football coach Mike Norvell said he does not feel pressure about his job going into the 2026 season despite recent poor team records. Norvell’s team had a very good season in 2023 but struggled afterward, and his contract buyout is very costly if the school wants to fire him.
Key Facts
Florida State’s football team went 13-1 in 2023 but then had records of 2-10 in 2024 and 5-7 in 2025.
Coach Mike Norvell dismissed talk about being on the “hot seat” (at risk of being fired) before the 2026 season.
Norvell’s contract buyout is about $58 million now but will decrease to $45.6 million after the 2026 season and $36.8 million after 2027.
Norvell’s overall record at Florida State is 38 wins and 24 losses, with a 22-26 record in ACC conference games.
Florida State won the ACC championship in 2023 but has not made a bowl game since.
Rivals like Miami have made the College Football Playoff and appear strong this season.
Florida State faces tough games against Alabama, Florida, and several ACC opponents this year.
It is uncertain whether Florida State will pay the large buyout if Norvell struggles again.
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Caitlin Clark has had a strong start to her WNBA career, setting records and earning Rookie of the Year honors. However, basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said it is too soon to call her the "face of the league" and praised other top players like A'ja Wilson.
Key Facts
Caitlin Clark was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
She set several league records in her first season and nearly won Rookie of the Year unanimously.
Clark currently plays for the Indiana Fever and averages 20.1 points and 7.8 assists per game.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said calling Clark the face of the WNBA is an insult to many great players.
Abdul-Jabbar praised A'ja Wilson, a seven-time WNBA All-Star and top MVP candidate.
Clark has missed some games this season due to a back injury.
Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 600 career assists.
The Indiana Fever have won four of their last five games.
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CeeDee Lamb played only 14 games last NFL season due to injuries but still gained over 1,000 receiving yards. Despite sharing the spotlight with teammate George Pickens, Lamb remains one of the top wide receivers in the league according to NFL experts.
Key Facts
Lamb missed several games because of a high ankle sprain and a concussion.
He finished the season with 75 catches, 1,077 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Lamb has made 1,000 receiving yards for five straight seasons, tying a Dallas Cowboys record.
George Pickens had 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, helping reduce pressure on Lamb.
NFL scouts and coaches ranked Lamb as the 6th best wide receiver in the league.
Dallas Cowboys had a strong offense but a weak defense last season.
The Cowboys improved their defense during the offseason by adding several new players.
The team hopes for a better season in 2026 with a healthy Lamb and upgraded defense.
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Thousands of Argentina fans gathered in the streets of Atlanta to celebrate before their World Cup semi-final match against England. This event, called a banderazo, is a fan tradition where people come together in public to show their support and excitement before an important game.
Key Facts
The gathering took place in Atlanta.
It was held before the World Cup semi-final match between Argentina and England.
The event is called a banderazo.
A banderazo is a tradition where fans celebrate together in public spaces.
Thousands of Argentina fans participated in this celebration.
The semi-final match is part of the World Cup soccer tournament.
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Cody Bellinger, a baseball player for the New York Yankees, shared his view on the possible introduction of a salary cap in Major League Baseball (MLB). He said a salary cap would not be good for the players, as team owners want it mainly to increase their own profits.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger plays for the New York Yankees and was asked about MLB labor talks.
Bellinger said that billionaires, like MLB team owners, want a salary cap to protect and grow their wealth.
A salary cap is a limit on how much teams can spend on player salaries.
Some of the lowest payroll teams, like the Tampa Bay Rays, are among the top performers this season.
Some teams with the highest payrolls, like the New York Mets, are doing poorly in the standings.
This season shows that a salary cap is not needed to keep competition fair in MLB.
Owners want a salary cap mainly to make more money, not to keep the game competitive.
Some fans seem to support the owners over the players in this debate.
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ESPN ranked Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert seventh among NFL quarterbacks for the second year in a row. While Herbert has shown talent and good stats, some NFL experts say he lacks the experience and leadership seen in other top quarterbacks.
Key Facts
Justin Herbert is ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s top 10 NFL quarterback list for 2024.
Only six quarterbacks ranked higher: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott.
Herbert has played six seasons with the Chargers since being picked 6th overall in the 2020 NFL draft.
Last season, Herbert completed 66.4% of his passes, threw for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Herbert has not won a playoff game yet, with an 0-3 playoff record.
An anonymous NFL coach said Herbert is talented but lacks the maturity and leadership compared to other top quarterbacks.
Other NFL insiders say Herbert is still a good quarterback to build a team around.
The Chargers will start their 2026 season against the Arizona Cardinals on September 13.
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Lionel Messi will play against England in the World Cup semifinals with a chance to take the lead in the race for the golden boot, awarded to the tournament's top scorer. Messi and Kylian Mbappé both have eight goals so far, and Messi is the all-time top scorer in World Cups with 21 goals.
Key Facts
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are tied with eight goals each in the 2026 World Cup.
The golden boot is given to the player who scores the most goals in the tournament.
Messi is the all-time top scorer in World Cups with 21 goals.
Messi is 39 years old and this might be his last World Cup.
Messi has already won one World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
Argentina aims to be the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
England's star players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham each have six goals in the tournament.
If Mbappé plays in the third-place match after France lost in the semifinals, he could score more goals.
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Egor Demin, a young player for the Brooklyn Nets, is showing strong performance during the NBA Summer League. He has impressed with both his scoring and defense, making a case that he could be an important part of the team's future.
Key Facts
The NBA Summer League is a tournament where young players get a chance to show their skills.
Egor Demin is a guard selected by the Brooklyn Nets in the last draft.
He scored 22 points and made 8 assists in a recent game against the Sacramento Kings.
Demin did not commit any turnovers in that game, which means he did not lose the ball to the other team.
He made 4 steals, showing strong defensive skills.
Demin looked confident and controlled while playing.
Coaches value his balanced play of attacking and protecting the ball.
Summer League helps players prove they are ready for higher levels of competition.
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Manchester United is interested in West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville if Marcus Rashford leaves this summer. Arsenal plans to bid for Norway winger Antonio Nusa from RB Leipzig, and Everton is considering signing Manchester City's right-back Rico Lewis.
Key Facts
Manchester United targets 24-year-old West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, worth about £30 million.
Arsenal prepares a £34 million offer for 21-year-old Norway winger Antonio Nusa from RB Leipzig.
Manchester City wants 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi to join their first team directly.
Manchester City is also interested in 18-year-old Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris St-Germain.
Sunderland aims to sign 19-year-old French defender Dayann Methalie from Toulouse.
Everton considers signing 21-year-old English right-back Rico Lewis from Manchester City.
Hull City plans to complete a £3 million deal for 24-year-old Swedish winger Elliot Stroud from Mjallby.
Hull City is also hopeful to sign 23-year-old Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos.
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European Athletics and the European Broadcasting Union have created new filming rules to stop videos from showing female athletes in a sexual way. The rules tell camera teams to focus on the sport and avoid shots that might make athletes feel uncomfortable or distract from their performance.
Key Facts
The guidelines are called “Raising the Bar” and aim to prevent sexualisation of female athletes on screen.
Broadcasters are asked to avoid close-ups of body parts, low-angle shots from behind or below, and unnecessary slow-motion replays.
The goal is to keep coverage focused on athletes’ skills and to stop footage from being shared wrongly online.
Camera teams should use wider angles that show full athlete movement and highlight technique.
Examples in the guidelines show good and bad camera angles for events like high jump, long jump, and running.
The guidelines suggest using aerial views and educational graphics to explain the sport better.
The document encourages respectful coverage of emotions and celebrations by athletes.
This initiative responds to concerns that certain filming styles harm the way viewers see female athletes and support unfair stereotypes.
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